Julian women (Julias) were not only supposed to be absolutely beautiful but very clever and witty and were said to have the special gift of making their families, friends and loved ones extremely happy.

Have always loved it but it really doesn't go with our surname (almost rhyming) so couldn't inflict it on DD!

It's such a pretty name and yet....When I was a teenager in Ireland. there was a song out at the time which was "Lanigan's Ball" and in the middle of it there was a bit where the singer talked and went "Go on there, Julia" and he pronounced it Jool-ya in thick country accent. So I came to associate it with a girl who was a Biddy-from-the-bog sort of person. But I know it's not justified.

Oh thanks everyone. Sounds like it's worth considering- although it's definitely at the most coventional end of my current (long) shortlist- which i am going to inflict on you at some point quite soon.... Sorry in advance!

I'm a Julia and I like my name. Everyone had heard of it, it's easy to spell, easy to say and yet I was always the only one in my year group. Also, most people don't shorten it so if you don't want a nickname that's easy enough. I get Jules sometimes from very close friends and family but that's only about 5 people and I don't mind.

I think it is pretty and classic, but underused. One good friend is always Jules, but that's her choice. I couldn't use it tho, there was a girl at school who stole my boyfriend when I was 14... I'm still bitter.